When it comes to choosing an exciting RWD sports car, a $50,000 budget provides you plenty of leeway. When it comes to new purchases, these are the top 10 options.
Sports vehicles are a lot more fun to drive than regular automobiles since they provide a somewhat sportier sensation. Some automobiles are designed from the ground up to be sports cars, while others are upgraded by the manufacturer with additional performance-oriented equipment and choices to make them faster and sportier to drive.
Some sports cars have the problem of incorporating more exotic materials or drivetrains, which necessitate more engineering than regular automobiles, resulting in higher asking prices. Some automakers who have been building sports cars for a long time borrow parts from other cars to keep prices down, resulting in some very fine sports cars that aren’t too expensive to buy. The maintenance costs of keeping the car operating are also reduced as a result of this parts-sharing mechanism.
Here are 5 of the top sports cars on the market right now, all of which cost less than $50,000.
10. Ford Mustang GT Premium ($42,000)
Since its inception in 1964, the Ford Mustang has become a legend. Ford made the current generation Mustang accessible in some right-hand-drive nations, as well as adding a 4-cylinder to the roster, and it has become the best-selling sports vehicle in the world.
The Mustang comes with two engines: a 2.3-liter turbocharged EcoBoost inline-4 that produces 310 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, or a 5.0-liter naturally aspirated ‘Coyote’ V8 that produces 450 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque. Although the EcoBoost is the more sensible option, the Mustang GT’s V8 is what makes it a Mustang. The Mustang GT has an MSRP of roughly $38,000, making it a terrific value for money – especially if you’re working with a $50,000 budget.
9. Chevrolet Camaro 2SS ($44,000)
In the never-ending muscle car rivalry, the Chevy Camaro is known for competing against the Ford Mustang. The Camaro, like the Mustang, was made available in a few right-hand-drive territories (most notably Australia), which boosted the model’s success.
The Camaro is offered in the United States with a 4-cylinder turbo, a naturally aspirated V6, or a huge V8 engine. The Camaro SS is the most desirable vehicle, with a 455-hp 6.2-liter V8 coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission. The top-of-the-line 2SS costs roughly $44,000 and includes a number of optional amenities, but there is still a long list of customisation options to pick from.
8. Dodge Challenger R-T Scat Pack ($47,000)
The Challenger completes the American muscle car triumvirate with the most powerful engine — a 6.4-liter V8. The R/T Scat Pack is the best option for a $50,000 budget because it comes equipped with solid options and has some great decals to select from. Regrettably, the Scat Pack Widebody costs more over $50,000.
This rear-drive muscle beast can reach 60 mph in 4.2 seconds thanks to the engine’s 485 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. It’s a fantastic car, and the only one of the ‘Big Three’ that still looks like an authentic American muscle car.
7. Kia Stinger GT ($45,000)
When the Stinger was first introduced, it stunned everyone because it is a Korean sports sedan that can compete with its German counterparts in terms of performance and build quality while being less expensive to buy and maintain. Kia has given the Stinger a minor aesthetic makeover for the 2022 model year, featuring new headlights, taillights, and rim options.
A new, more powerful 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder was also installed in favour of the original 2.0-liter turbo. The Stinger GT, on the other hand, is the desired variant, with its twin-turbocharged 3.3-liter V6 producing 368 horsepower and driving either the rear wheels or all four wheels through an 8-speed semi-automatic gearbox. The GT1 trim package has an MSRP of around $45,000 and has a good blend of standard equipment to go with the V6 power plant.
6. Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti ($43,000)
The Alfa Romeo Giulia is one of the more expensive vehicles on this list, but it is unquestionably the most attractive. The Quadrifoglio is always the preferred trim level, but it costs more than $40,000 more than the budget allows. Instead, the Giulia Ti with its 280 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 will suffice.
The Giulia is a fantastic car, with handling and performance that rivals the BMW 3-Series, which is a huge credit to Alfa Romeo. The Giulia, on the other hand, has more power and a better sound than the German car, not to mention exquisite aesthetics – a feasible option for a faster car on a $50,000 budget.
5. Cadillac CT5-V ($50,000)
The Cadillac CT5 sedan succeeded the CTS sedan in 2018 and has performed admirably since then. The CT5 has an identity dilemma, as the lower-end variants compete with the BMW 3-Series and Mercedes C-Class, while the top-of-the-line CT5-V Blackwing is plainly designed to frighten the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63S.
Regardless, the CT5 is a stylish American sedan with powerful engines and superb value. The CT5-V is the obvious pick for a $50,000 budget (sans Blackwing). It has a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that produces 360 horsepower and sends power to the rear wheels or all four wheels via a 10-speed automated transmission. The CT5-V costs roughly $1,000 more than the budget, but the exception is well worth it.
4. Toyota GR86 Premium ($32,000)
The Toyota GT86 has been modernised and modified to the point where it resembles the car it replaces nearly entirely. The nomenclature was also altered to GR86, as Toyota does with all of their slightly sportier models, naming them after their in-house tuners, Gazoo Racing. The GR86’s appearance differs from the previous generation, with the future Subaru BRZ looking very identical.
The 2.0-liter flat-4 has been replaced by the 2.4-liter FA flat-4 available in numerous Subaru models, several of which include turbochargers. Toyota has kept the naturally aspirated engine, but increased the output to 230 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, which is a nice boost in performance for a car that desperately needed it. The top-spec GR86 has an MSRP of $32,000, making it a reasonably priced Japanese sports car for a mountain drive.
3. Mazda MX-5 Miata Club RF ($35,000)
The Mazda MX-5 is the quintessential compact, light Japanese sports car, capable of handling any situation. A folding soft-top convertible roof is standard on the MX-5. Mazda, on the other hand, introduced the RF a few years ago, which has a retractable roof similar to a targa.
The top-of-the-line MX-5 Club RF variant is priced at under $35,000, making it a great budget sports vehicle. The MX-5 sports a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-4 that produces 181 horsepower, yet due to its 2500 pound weight, it is just slightly slower in a straight line than a Dodge Challenger SXT. The MX-5’s handling and driving feel are also superior to many of its rivals, both in the same price range and above.
2. BMW 430i ($47,000)
The BMW 4-Series is an excellent vehicle. When the 4-series appeared and everyone saw the styling, many people – including BMW aficionados – were polarised, with some still debating and raving about it. However, one thing that cannot be overlooked is that the 4-Series is a fun car to drive. It may cost more than its American competitors, but it boasts the best build quality in its class.
The 430i, which is the only trim level under $50,000, comes with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 that produces 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The 8-speed semi-automatic transmission is the only option, and power is routed to the rear wheels. The 4-Series is a fantastic car, regardless of whether or not one loves the front appearance.
1. Toyota Supra MK5 ($50,000)
The Supra is the priciest car on the list, costing almost $52,000. This Supra is on here (over budget) because it comes with BMW’s B58 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-6 engine, which is universally regarded as a fantastic motor. The Supra’s version also does the classic German trick of having a lower claimed power output than the real power output, implying that the Supra performs better than advertised.
The 2.0-liter turbo i4 is less expensive for the $50,000 budget, but having a 4-cylinder Supra seems weird (exactly like a 4-cylinder muscle car), so investing a little more will get you one of the best sports cars now on the market. The 6-cylinder Toyota Supra is a great price when compared to the BMW Z4 – which shares most of the Supra’s components – which starts at over $50,000 for the 4-cylinder.
